Mon Mar 17 06:17:57 UTC 2025: ## Turkey’s Defense Industry Soars, Becoming a Global Arms Exporter
**ANKARA** – Turkey’s defense industry has experienced a remarkable surge, transforming from a buyer of foreign weapons to a significant global exporter, achieving $7.1 billion in exports in 2024 – a substantial increase from $1.9 billion a decade earlier. This growth is driven by a decades-long push for military self-sufficiency, initially spurred by arms embargoes and restrictions imposed by Western nations.
The country’s success is evident across land, sea, and air domains. Iconic products like the Bayraktar TB2 drone, exported to at least 31 countries, have propelled Turkey’s international presence. Other notable achievements include the Anka-S and Karayel UAVs, the Altay main battle tank, the Kirpi mine-resistant vehicle, and the advanced Ada-class corvettes and Istanbul-class frigates produced under the MILGEM project. The ambitious TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship, the largest in the Turkish navy, further showcases its capabilities. Development of the indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet, the KAAN, is also underway, aiming to replace aging F-16s.
Turkey’s defense industry now boasts approximately 3,000 companies, contributing 1.7 percent of global arms exports, placing it 11th in the world (SIPRI data, 2020-2024). Exports reached 178 countries in 2024, a 103 percent increase compared to 2015-2019. Major customers include the UAE, Pakistan, and Qatar.
This remarkable growth is not merely a matter of quantity, but also quality. Turkey is increasingly investing in indigenous technology, including a $300 million investment by Baykar to develop its own jet engines, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and further enhance its independence in the global arms market. This move reflects a strategic shift towards complete self-reliance and technological advancement within the defense sector.
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